Liam Martyn, a highly experienced Area Manager within Stonegate Group, has been recognised for his work championing Stonewall Housing, a charity dedicated to supporting thousands of LGBTQ+ people in the UK every year. The charity provides housing advice, advocacy and support for those that are facing homelessness and is the only UK based charity working with homeless LGBTQ+ people of all ages.
Since becoming an Area Manager in 2020, Liam has been dedicated to making a difference in his community and inspiring the London based teams within his 17 LGBTQ+ site remit.
To date, Liam and his city-wide teams have raised an incredible £60,000 for Stonewall Housing. One of the most significant fundraisers has been through their collaboration with Portobello Brewery, an independent West London brewery. The combined forces collaborated to create Polari, a pale ale with a difference. For every pint sale of Polari in Liam’s pubs, 10p is donated directly to Stonewall Housing.
Liam first rolled out Polari in one of his sites, Halfway to Heaven, a stunning cabaret bar based in the West End, before launching the product in the rest of his sites off the back of the initial success.
Following the triumphant reception of Polari, Liam and Portobello Brewery collaborated once more to produce Rainbow, a Pilsner pale lager. Under the same premise, proceeds from every pint were donated directly to the charity, contributing to the phenomenal £60,000 total.
In addition to sales of the expertly crafted beers, Liam and his dedicated teams across London also support Stonewall Housing on a local level, with each pub selling a specially created annual calendar featuring various leading drag artists that are key figures in the venues.
Liam Martyn commented: “The beers have been selling better than we could have ever imagined and knowing that those sales are translating into helping LGBTQ+ people facing homelessness get the support that they need is just amazing. The whole process has been really rewarding and we’ve been amazed at how customers in these London pubs have rallied behind the products to support the cause. Stonewall Housing is such a worthwhile charity and we look forward to a long and supportive partnership with them!”
Stonewall Housing was founded in 1983 and provides both nationwide and local services in London, Birmingham and Brighton to support LGBTQ+ people of all ages facing homelessness. To date, the charity has supported more than 42,000 vulnerable people and works with over 2,400 individuals each year. Donations to the charity allow it to provide crucial services including an accommodation scheme, specialist support for mental health and drug related issues as well as support for those suffering from domestic abuse.
For more information about Stonewall Housing and their life-changing efforts in helping the LGBTQ+ community, check out their website.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About Stonegate Group
Stonegate Group is the largest pub company in the UK. Its portfolio is comprised of over 4,500 sites, split across managed, operator led and leased and tenanted businesses.
The managed pubs division, which employs just under 16,000 people, is split into Branded and Traditional pubs. Branded is comprised of: Slug & Lettuce, Popworld, Be At One and the Venues division. Traditional (unbranded) pubs are made up of: Proper Pubs, Pub & Dining and Social Pub & Kitchen.
To date, over 12,000 employees have engaged with the various training programmes Stonegate Group offer, with over 600 Deputy Managers across the estate having been promoted to management roles.
The leased and tenanted estate, Stonegate Pub Partners, is made up of over 3,000 diverse sites whilst operator led Craft Union is currently made up of over 500 community pubs.
The business is multi award-winning for the training and development of its people and business success including:
BII’s National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs): HR Manager of the Year, multiple times; Best Apprenticeship Training Programme (ATOP). Best Managed Company for Training.
REBA Employee Wellbeing Awards – Best New Wellbeing Strategy (5000+ staff);
Publican Awards – Best Pub Employer (501+ employees) multiple times; Best Community Operator (Craft Union Pub Company) multiple times; Best Managed Pub Company multiple times.
Great British Pub Awards – Best LGBTQ+ operator multiple times; Best Sports Pub multiple times; Best Pub Garden, Best Entertainment; Best pub to watch sport; Community Mindfulness
Licensed Trade Charity Awards raising awareness through fundraising
UK Hospitality’s Dusk ‘til Dawn Late Night Awards Best Marketing and Promotions Award; Best Service & Team; Best late Night Operator
HR Excellence Awards: Best Learning and Development Strategy
HR Distinction Awards: Innovation for Digital & Social Media; People Development; Innovative Use of Technology
And awards for charity contribution including Licensed Trade Charity: Outstanding Corporate Contribution Award; APPBG PUBAID Corporate Charity Fundraiser Award
About Stonewall Housing
Stonewall Housing helps LGBTQ+ people across the UK who are experiencing homelessness or living in an unsafe environment. They provide specialist housing advice, advocacy and support for LGBTQ+ people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They have specialisms in Mental Health, Domestic Abuse, Substance Misuse and Supported Accommodation. Founded in 1983, they’re the only charity in the UK working with homeless LGBTQ+ people of all ages. They’re fighting to end homelessness, and will not stop until all LGBTQ+ people have a safe place to call home.
Contact: Elisabeth Osmand elisabethosmand@leisurepr.co.uk
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